woolson



March 28, 1933. WOOLSON 1,903,079

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Sept. 3, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. E ELIUNEL M NUULSUN.

March 28, 1933. L. M. WOOLSON INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Sept. 3,1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Ma. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICELIONEL M. WOOLSON, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO PACKARD MOTOR GABCOMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINE Application filed September This invention relates tointernal combustion engines, and more particularly to starting devices.

An object of the invention is to provide a starting device for internalcombustion engines in which cartridges are exploded to causereciprocation of the pistons and consequent compression of the fuelcharges.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cartridge starter forinternal combustion engines which can be actuated initially by a manualmanipulation and then automatically.

Another object of the invention is to provide a starter for internalcombustion engines in which cartridges are fired into a plurality ofcylinders to reciprocate the pistons.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cartridge starter forengines which can be readily adjusted to remove and insert cartridges.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a cartridge starterfor internal combustion engines in which a breech member, an ejectormember and the firing pin are actuated simultaneously by manipulation ofa single means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cartridge starter forinternal combustion engines with an indicator so that the timing of thefiring can be accurately determined with reference to the position ofthe engine pistons.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a cartridge starterdevice for internal combustion engines in which cartridges can be firedinto cylinders in synchronized relation with the pistons throughmechanism actuated by the crankshaft of the engine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cartridge starter forinternal combustion engines with a novel form of firing mechanism.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a cartridge starterdevice for internal combustion engines with an ejector mechanism whichis actuated with the breech to partially withdraw a cartridge from thebarrel.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 3, 1929. Serial No.390,072.

vide a gun starter device for internal combustion engines in whichcocking mechanism is set through movement of the breech.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription taken in connection with the drawings, which form a part ofthis specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of an internal combustion engine with the gunstarter secured in operative relation therewith;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the engine cylindersshowing the gun starter connection thereto;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the gun starter and a portion of theengine taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the gun starter taken on line4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the starter taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of the starter taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the starter taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is fragmentary elevational view of an end of the breech membershowing the e ector actuating groove;

Fig. 9 is another fragmentary elevational view of one end of the breechmember showing the groove for causing helical reciprocation;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the starter;

Fig. 12 is a sectional viewof the starter taken on line 12--12 of Fig.3.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 10 represents thecrankcase of an internal combustion engine from which nine cylindersextend radially, the engine illustrated being of the four cycle type inwhich fuel is ignited in the cylinders 11 through heat of compressionpressure.

The cylinders and their associated mechanism are similar, and adescription of one will sufiice. A piston 12 reciprocates in thecylinder 11 and a connecting rod 13 extends therefrom to the crankshaft14. The head of the cylinder is provided with a neck 16 having a singlepassage 15 extending therethrough for the inlet and the exhaust, and avalve 17 controlling flow through the passage is opened and closed bysuitable cam operated mechanism 18 in a conventional manner. A fuelinjecting mechanism 19 is arranged in communication with the cylinder,and is actuated through mechanism 20 operated from the crankshaft indesired sequence. The valve is open continuously during the exhaust andintake strokes and closed during the compression and working strokes,air is drawn in during the suction stroke, then compressed, fuel isinjected during the compression stroke and after combustion occurs, theexhaust is expelled from the passage through which the air was taken in.The fuel conduits 21 lead to the injection mechanisms from a suitablereservoir.

This invention concerns the starting of an internal combustion engine,and while adapted to a Diesel engine it is capable of use with enginesin which combustion is caused through other means of ignition. Thestarter mechanism is in the form of a gun wherein cartridges are firedand the resulting gases conducted to the cylinders so that the pistonsare reciprocated sufiiciently to develop comression in the cylinderscapable of producing functioning of the engine. While the starter can beused with a single cylinder, I prefer that it be formed in multiple andconnected with a plurality of cylinders when associated with an engineof the Diesel type.

The starter structure includes a barrel section indicated generally at22, a breech section indicated generally at 23, and a con- .nectingsection between the barrel section and the crankcase indicated generallyat 24. The breech section is preferably formed as a forging having threeradially equally spaced and longitudinally extending barrels 22 eachhaving a chamber 25 therein adapted to receive a cartridge 26. Each ofthe barrels is provided with an outlet 27 through which extends apassage communicating with the associated chamber. A conduit 28 issecured to each of the outlets 27 by means of a nut 29, and each conduitextends to a cylinder of the engine. With the engine illustrated, thefiring order is 1,3, 5, 7, 9, 2, 4. 6. 8, and a conduit is associatedwith cylinders 6. 7, and 8. The heads of those cylinders with which theconduits communicate are provided with an aperture 30 for the receptionof aconnector consisting of a section 32 which screws into the section31, the conduit 28 being connected with the section 32 by means of a nut33. The sections 31 and 32 are provided with a passage communicatingwith the associated conduit 28, and a valve element 34 normally closesthe inner end of the passage in the section 31. The valve is held insuch position by a coil spring 35 which engages an enlarged portion ofthe section 32 and with a cap 36 fixed to the valve stem which extendsthrough the section 32.

It will thus be seen that the gas which flows through the conduits 28from the chambers 25 when a cartridge is exploded will force the valves34 open, against the action of the springs 35, so that the interior ofthe combustion chamber of the cylinders are in open communication withthe associated barrel chamber 25.

The breech section consists of a forging conformin in contour to thebarrel section and formed with three radial longitudinall extendingenlargements 37 which are eac adapted to contain a cartridge firing pin,a trigger, and a portion of the releasing mechanism therefor. The breechmember includes an end wall 38 which incloses the open end of the mainforging. Each firing pin 39 is reciprocably mounted in apertures formedin the breech block and the end cover plate and is provided with areduced end 40 which is adapted to be forced against the end of thecartridge in the associated barrel chamber b the coil spring 41, whenthe trigger 42 is released from engagement with the projection 43 formedon the firing pin with a force sufiicient to cause explosion o thecharge of powder therein. It will be understood that the mechanism justdescribed is arranged in each of the breech enlargements.

Each trigger is pivotally mounted upon a shaft 44 carried by the wallsof the associated firing pin chamber, and is rocked to engage or releasethe in through means of a rod 45 reciprocate in a passage 46 extendinglongitudinally of the breech. Such passages are enlar ed at the endportion of the breech forging fir the reception of a nut 47 which isscrewed upon the end of the rod 45 and for a coil spring 48 whichnormally tends to press the rod outwardly of the passage and in adirection causing the associated trigger to secure the pin in a cockedposition. It will be understood that mechanism such as that justdescribed is arranged within each of the three firing pin chambers andthat there is an insert 49 seated in a recess in the end of the breechmembers adjacent each of the firing pins which serve as clamping meansfor the rim of the cartridges to maintain them tightly within thechamber of the associated barrel. The barrel section of the gun starteris drilled longitudinally for the reception of rods 50 which arereciprocated to actuate the trigger operating rod and which extend intoa chamber 51 forming one end of the connector section 24 for associationwith actuating mechanism.

Mechanism is associated in a relation with the pin actuating rods 50which can be first manually actuated and then automatically actuated tocause a movement that will release the firing pins in sequence of theen- 'ne 0 eration such that the cartridges will exp oded and theresulting expanding gas casing 52 is secured over an opening in the endof the enginecasing and is fixed to the casing by studs 68 which passthrough a flange 56 projecting beyond the opening, in alignment with thecrankshaft 14. The crankshaft has splined thereto a starter jaw 57 whichis secured in position by the rod 58 and a shaft 59 is splined to thestarter jaw, such shaft being carried by a pair of bearings 60 which areheld within the easing 52 and supported by flanges formed interiorlythereof, such bearings being secured in position by retainers 61 andstuds 62. A countershaft 63 is rotatably mounted in the casing 52 and isarranged to extend at right angles to the stub shaft 59, being supportedby bearings 64 and 65 which are mounted and secured to walls interior ofthe casing. The bearing 65.is secured in position by a keeper 66 andstuds 67. The countershaft 63 extends in axial alignment with thecentral portion of the barrel and the breech sections, andhas keyedthereto a bevel gear 69 arranged to mesh with a gear 70, secured totheend of the stub shaft 59.

A shaft 71 extends through the partition 55 and is mounted in a bearing72 carried thereby, one end of the shaft having secured thereto thebeveled gear 73 and the other end of the shaft having a plate 74attached thereto. This plate supports an extension 75 which is securedthereto by nuts 76, the extension being provided with a plurality ofgrooves which are adapted to receive arms projecting from the drivemember 77 which is keyed to the countershaft 63. The drive connector 75extends longitudinally of the casing 52 in a manner such that it can bereciprocated axially relative to the drive member 77.

A spider 7 8 is arranged within the chamber51 in the casing 53 and isprovided with a hub portion from which radially project three equallyspaced stub shafts 79 upon each of which is rotatably mounted a bevelledgear 80 arranged to mesh with the gear 7 3 on the shaft 71. These gearmembers 80 are rotating in a plane transversely to that in which thegear 73 rotates, and are each formed with a peripheral flange upon whichis a cam lobe 81, such cam lobes being rotatable in a plane such thatthey will engage against the projecting end of the rods 50 and therebycause them to move in a direction which will cause the rods 45 torelease the firing pin trigger,

overcoming the tension of the springs 48 and 82 normally tending toproject the rods 50 into the chamber 51. The end of one of the stubshafts 79 is of such length that it engages a guide-way 83 arranged toextend longitudinally in the chamber 51, such guideway and shaftextension thereby preventing rotation of the spider and at the same timepermitting longitudinal axial movement thereof.

The casing 53 is secured in axial alignment with the barrel section bycap screws 54. The shaft 71 projects through the hub of the spider 78and provides a bearing and support therefor within the casing 53, andalso extends axially through the barrel and breech members. The casing53 has a rojecting reduced portion 87 which exten s into a passage 88formed at the end of the barrel section in order to strengthen itsconnection with the barrel member and carries the hearing 86 and a coilspring 89 which normally exerts a pressure against a bearing block 90sufiicient to maintain the spider 78 and the shaft 71 in a position suchthat the cams 81 will not contact with the rods 50 when they arerotated.

The rod 71 projects beyond the end of the breech member and is providedwith a sectional handle having one portion 91 secured thereto by the pin92 and another portion 93 loosely mounted with respect thereto, thebearing 94 being interposed between the two sections of the handle. Thatportion of the handle which is fixed to the rod 71 is provided with amarking, such as an arrow 95, arranged to align with lines on the coverplate 38 of the breech member to indicate when the pistons in thecylinders 6, 7, and 8, are at top compression stroke.

The shaft 71 is rotated at one half crankshaft speed, and the gears 80Will likewise rotate in the same manner. The gears are related with thefiring mechanism so that when the arrow registers with one of the lines,a cam lobe will be in position to actuate the trigger to fire thecartridge into the cylinder so indicated. As the piston in such cylinderis at top center, the cartridge charge will move the same downwardly inthe cylinder thereby turning over the crankshaft.

When the gun is to be positioned for firing cartridges into thecylinders the handle section 92 is rotated by turning the crankshaftuntil the arrow registers with one of the marks at the end of the breechmember and is then pulled outwardly which will move the spider structureaxially in the chamber 51, causing a cam 81 to move its associated rod50 in a direction to cause movement of the rod 45 releasing the trigger42, whereupon the coil spring 41 will exert sufficient pressure againstthe firing pin to cause it to engage the cartridge with such force thatit will explode the charge therein, and the expanding gas will cause thepiston to move inwardly of the associated en e tiylinder and rotate thecrankshaft. y ho ding the handle of the rod 71 in such extendedposition, the cams 81 5 which are now rotated by the crankshaft are in aplane such that the will actuate their associated firing pin re easingmechanism. In this manner, while the first cartridge is fired by manualmovement of the rod 71, the second and third cartridges will be firedautomatically through rotation of the crankshaft, providing themechanism is held manually so that the cams 81 will contact with the inreleasing mechanism as they rotate. e cartridges will be fired into thecylinders in numerical sequence, and the device can be set to fire firstin any one of c linders 6, 7, or 8. If the cylinder 7 is fire intofirst, then cylinders 8 anu 6 will be next fired into in order, while ifcylinder 8 is first fired into then cylinders 6 and 7 will in order benext fired into.

A cylindrical member 98, bored axially to permit the rod 71 to extendtherethrough, is arranged to extend axially within the hub of the breechand barrel members, the end portion 99 thereof bein formed with anexternal right-hand worm t read to enga o with a similar internal thread100 formed in the wall of the bore 88 which extends through the hub ofthe barrel member. Another portion of the member 98 is provided with aleft hand external worm thread 101 which engages a similar internalthread 102 formed in the wall of the bore which extends axially throughthe breech member end wall 103. The wall 103 of the breech member isformed with a reduced central extension 104 which projects into anenlarged end of the bore in the barrel hub, and an ejector sleeve 105 isarranged intermediate the reduced breech portion 104 and the barrel, theejector having flanges 106 provided with grooves which are adapted toseat a portion of the rims of the cartridges.

' The breech extension 104 is provided with a slot 105' extendingtherethrough, the base portion of which extends longitudinally andterminates in an angularly extending portion, there being a cap screw107, which is screwed through a recess in the barrel section and whichhas a reduced unthreaded end projecting through a slot in the ejectorsleeve and into a slot 105 in the extension 104. The cap screw 107 isstationary so that when the lever 97 is rotated manually, it will rotatethe member 98 which is keyed thereto and such rotation will be impartedto the breech member 23 to a degree equal to the movement caused by theleft and right hand threads and 101 so that with a slight turningmovement of the lever 97, the breech member will be reciprocated in amultipled degree.

Due to the engagement of the cap screw turned the breech "so that thecap screw 10'! 1'0 lies in the opposite end of the slot from which itstarted, the radial portions of the breech member will lie in alignmentwith the grooved portions of the barrel and will thus permit extractionand renewal of cartridges It with r t to the bores 25 in the barrelsection. pon turning of the handle in reverse direction the mechanismwill return over the same path.

Likewise when the handle 97 is turned in a direction to cause the breechto move away from the barrel section, the sleeve member 108, providedwith external worm threads, and which member is keyed to the member 98,will cause reciprocation of the ring 109 which is screwed thereon, suchr' having a flan end portion 110 which :51 engage wi a projection 111 onthe firing pins and move the pins into a position such that the t re 42will drop over the shoulders 43 and t ereby cock the firing pin for thenext explosive operation of the gun. The in extensions extend throughgrooves foun in the breech member which prevent rotation thereof.

It will be seen that this cocking ring member 109 will actuate all ofthe pins in a similar manner when the breech is backed away from the endof the barrel by turning of the lever 97 As before stated, the ejectormember 105 is recigrocated by means of the movement of the reech member.In order to accomplish such motion of the ejector member, I rovide thebreech member with a recess into which the pin 112 projects, such pinextending through a longitudinally extending slot 113 in the barrelmember and through a circular aperture 114 in the ejector member. Itwill be seen that movement of the pin 112 will cause a movement of theejector and that the pin 112 can be moved longitudinal] with respect tothe barrel. When the breec member is in closed relation with the barrelmember, the cartridges will be clamped against the ejector flanges 106in which position the pin 112 will extend into the recess 115 asindicated in Fig. 8. Upon the straight longitudinal movement of thebreech member when reciprocated adjacent the barrel, the pin 112 willremain stationary and the breech extension will move with respectthereto, so that when in its outermost position of such movement the pin112 will move in the recess 115 toward the top of the angular wall 116.When the helical movement of the breech member commences, as the breechmember is being moved outwardly, the wall 116 will rotate with respectto the pin 115 and cause it to move rearwardly of the barrel member andin the slot therein carrying Ill the ejector therewith, this movement ofthe pin being a maximum distance corresponding to the angle at which thewall 116 extends with respect to the wall 117. Then the breech extensionhas reachedits outermost position with respect to the barrel member, thepin 112 will be in a position adjacent the base wall 118 of the recess.\Vhen in this position, the pin knob 118 can be manipulated toreciprocate the ejector member as the pin is free to move in the recess115 along the wall 118, so that in this manner the ejec tor can be movedmanually to place cartridges in their final position in the barrelchamber and without interfering with the movement of the breech memberor without being effected thereby. 7

When the ejector has been moved to a position such that the cartridgesare in their final position within the barrel chambers, the pin 112 willbe at the right hand end of the wall 118, so that as the breech ishelically returned toward the barrel member, the pin will ride upon thesurface 119 sloping up wardly from the base of the recess andterminating in the wall 116 which conforms to the periphery of thebreech extension and will ride thereacross back into the portion of therecess 115 opposite the wall 118. WVhereupon, the straight movement ofthe breech member will again locate the pin in its position as shown inFig. 8. When the ejector has not been returned by the manual means, andthe breech member is in its rearmost position, the pin 112 which liesadjacent the wall 118 at the end of the wall 116 will be engaged by thewall 117 and will be moved toward the barrel member in this manner bythe breech extension, the rotation thereof finally placing the pin 112in the position from which it started as shown in Fig. 8.

A coil spring 120 is associated with the button- 118' which button isfixed to slide in a groove 121 in the barrel so that the pin can moveoutwardly as it rides over the angular wall 119 and will normally beheld in the bottom of the recess 115 thereby, and furthermore the end ofthe pin 112 is bevelled to permit the sliding movement when contactingwith the angular wall 119.

It will thus be seen that the ejector is moved away from the barrelmember by movement of the breech member, but not to as great an extent,and that when the breech member is in its rearmost position from thebarrel member that the ejector member can be moved to place thecartridges in their final firing position within the barrel member, andalso that the ejector member can be returned automatically to suchposition if desired.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a specificembodiment, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous otherapplications which will readily ocour to persons skilled in the art. Theinvention is therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having a cartridge receiving chamber, a breech member alignedwith the barrel, said breech member having an interior chamber, a firingpin reciprocable in the breech chamber and adapted to fire a cartridgein the barrel chamber when released, a trigger in the breech chamberadapted to hold the firing pin in retracted position, means in saidbreech chamber urging said firing pin into extended firing position,trigger release means extending through said barrel and into said breechchamber, and engine actuated means associated with the release meansbeyond the barrel to cause a pin releasing movement thereof.

2. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having a cartridge receiving chamber, a breech member alignedwith the barrel, said breech member having a chamber, a firing pinreciprocable in said breech chamber and carried in alignment with thebarrel chamber, a spring in the breech chamber urging said pin intoextended firing position, a trigger in said chamber holding the pin inretracted position, manually operable mechanism for initially releasingthe trigger from the pin, and engine operated means for actuating thereleasing mechanism.

3. In a. gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having a cartridge receiving chamber, a chambered breech memberaligning with the barrel member, a firing pin reciprocably mounted inthe chamber breech member, said pin having an intermediate shoulder, acoil spring intermediate a wall of the breech member and the pinshoulder urging the pin into firing position, a trigger member pivotedin the breech chamber for engaging the pin shoulder and maintaining thepin in retracted position, trigger rocking means extending through thebarrel member, and cam means engageable with the projecting portion ofthe trigger rocking means, said cam means being operable either by handor by the engine.

4. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having a cartridge receiving chamber, a breech member movableaxially relative to the barrel member, a spring actuated firing pincarried by the breech member, a firing pin trigger mechanism carried bythe-breech member, a reciprocable trigger actuating rod carried by thebreech member. a reciprocable rod carried by the barrel member foractuating the rod in the breech member, and means for actuating the rodin the barrel member.

5. In a gun starter device for internal com- Ill bustion engines, abarrel member having a cartridge receiving chamber, a breech member, aspring actuated firing pin carried by the breech member, a pivotetrigger member for holding the firing pin in retracted position, a rodextending through the barrel and breech members for rocking the triggerto release the firing pin, and spring means for normally maintaining therod in a position rmitting the trigger to hold the firing pin inretracted position.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a gun starterdevice comprising a barrel member having a plurality of cartridgereceiving chambers each communicating with the interior of an enginecylinder, means for firing a cartridge in each of the chambers, saidmeans being operated manually to fire one of the cartridges, and en inedriven means for firing the other cartri ges.

7. In combination with cylinders and the crankshaft of an internalcombustion engine a gun starter device comprising a barrei member havinga plurality of cartridge receiving chambers, means connectin each ofsaid barrel chambers with the interior of an engine cylinder, and meansfor firing a cartridge in each of the barrel chambers, said means beingactuated manually to fire the first cartridge and then being actuatedfrom the engine crankshaft to fire the other cartridges.

8. In combination with cylinders and a rotating element of an internalcombustion engine, a gun starter device comprising a barrel memberhaving a plurality of cartridge receiving chambers communicatin with theinterior of cylinders, and mechanlsm comprising relativel movablesections for firing cartridges in t e barrel chambers actuated by therotatin element of the engine, and manual means or shifting one of thesections of said mechanism into either an effective or ineffectivecartridge firing position with an adjacent section of the mechanism.

9. In combination with cylinders and a rotating element of an internalcombustion engine, a gun starter device comprising a barrel memberhaving a plurality of cartridge receiving chambers communicating withthe interior of cylinders, cartridge firing mechanism associated to beactuated through movement imparted from the rotating engine element,means for automatically disengaging portions of the firing mechanism,and manually operated means for maintaining the disenga eable portionsof said mechanism in relation for firing the cartridges.

, 10. In combination with cylinders and a rotating element of aninternal combustion engine, a gun starter device comprising a barrelmember having a plurality of cartridge receiving chambers communicatingwith the interior of cylinders, and cartridge firing mechanism includingreciprocable elements and rotatable elements for actuating thereciprocable elements, said rotatable elements being driven from theengine rotating element and movable into and from actuating relationwith the reciprocable elements.

11. In combination with cylinders and the crankshaft of an internalcombustion engine, a gun starter device comprising a barrel having aplurality of chambers each adapted to receive a cartridge, a connectionbetween each of the chambers and a cylinder for the passage of explodingpowder from the cartridges, a spring actuated firing pin associated witheach of the chambers, a trig er for retainin each firin pin in retracteposition, reciprocable r for releasing the triggers from the pins, andactuating mechanism or the rods connected for rotation by thecrankshaft, said mechanism including spider and rotated cams rotatablymounted on the spider, said spider bein movable to cause the cams toactuate the ro s.

12. In combination with cylinders and the crankshaft of an internalcombustion engine, a gun starter device comprising a barrel having aplurality of chambers each adapted to receive a cartridge, a connectionbetween each barrel chamber and the interior of a cylinder for thepassage of exploding powder, a spring actuated firing pin associatedwith each of the chambers, triggers for retaining the pins in retractedposition, reciprocable rods for actuating the triggers to release thepins, a casing securing the barrel to the engine, and mechanism in thecasing for trans-- mitting motion from the crankshaft to actuate therods in desired se uence, said mechanism including an axial y movablespider and gear driven cams carried by the spider, said s ider beingmanually movaole into a plane in which the cams will actuate the rods.

13. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember rovided with spaced longitudinally exten ing chambers, saidbarrel member havin an axially extending aperture therethroug an ejectorsleeve extending into the aperture at one end of the chamber, saidejector having flanges for engaging the rim of cartridges adapted to bemserted into the chambers of said barrel member, a breech memberarranged in axial aligned relation with said barrel and ejector, andmanually operable means for reciprocating said breech and said ejectorsimultaneously.

14. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember provided with a plurality of longitudinally extendin chambers, abreech member associated wit one end of the barrel member, and meansextending axially through said members for reciprocatin said breechmember relative to said barre member whereby cartridges can be insertedand removed from the chambers.

combustion engines, a barrel member having.

a pluralit of spaced longitudinally extending cham ers, a breech memberassociated with one end of the barrel member and manually rotatablemeans extending axially .of said members and associated therewith tocause helical reciprocation of the breech member relative to said barrelmember whereby cartridges can be inserted and removed from the chambers.

17 In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending chambersadapted to be connected jwith cylindersof the engine, said barrel havingan axially extending threaded hub, a breech member in axial alignmentwith the barrel member, said breech member having an axial threaded hubportion, and a rotatable member'extending through said barrel and breechmembers, said rotatable member having threads cooperating with thethreaded hubs of said barrel and breech members for causing a helicalmotion of the breech mem ber relative to the barrel member to close thechambers and to allow insertion and removal of cartridges.

18. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having a plurality of chambers adapted to be arranged in opencommunication with some of the engine cylinders, said barrel memberhaving an axially extending right-hand helical thread, a breech memberassociated with one end of the barrel member, said breech member havingan axially extending left-hand helical thread, and a rotatable member extending axially through the barrel and breech member, said rotatablemember being provided with right and left hand helical threads adaptedto be associated with the axial threads in the barrel and breechmembers, to cause a. helical movement of the breech member at a fasterrate than the rotational movement thereof, the movement of said breechmember opening and closing the chambers in the barrel member.

19. In a gun starter dev ce for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember provided with a plurality of chambers adapted to be connectedwith the engine cylinders, a breech member associated with one end ofthe barrel member,' and a rotatable means for causing the breech memberto move an axial, predetermined distance relative to the adjacent end ofthe barrel member, and to move in a helical direction beyond the axial,predetermined distance, the movement of said breech member relative tothe barrel member opening and closing the chambers.

20. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having a plurality of longitudinally extending chambers adaptedto be placed in communication with engine cylinders, a breech memberhaving a reduced end portion telescoped by the barrel member, saidreduced breech portion being provided with a groove therein extendinglongitudinally and then angularly in a direction toward the end thereof,a pin member secured to the barrel and projecting into the groove in thebreech reduced portion, and means for causing said breech member toreciprocate relative to the barrel member, the relation of the pincausing the breech member not reciprocated tomove in an axial directionand then in a helical direction, the movement of said breech memberrelative to the barrel member opening and closing the chambers.

21. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a gun starterdevice comprising axially arranged sections, breech mechanisms in one ofthe sections, cartridge receiving chambers in another of the sections,condut means for connecting the chambers with the engine cylinders, anda drive mechanism in another of the sections, the drive containingsection being secured to the engine casing and functioning in drivingrelat'on with the engine crankshaft, means extending through the barrelsection reciprocated by the driving mechanism, and means within thebreech section actuated by the reclprocating means extending through thebarrel section for causing explosion of the cartridges placed within thechambers.

22. In a gun starter for internal combustion engines, a barrel memberhaving chambers for the reception of cartridges, a breech memberreciprocable axially relative to the barrel member, rotatable means forreciprocating the breech member, firing pins carried by thebreechmember, triggers for retaining the pins in retracted position, springsarranged to move the pins into firing contact with cartridges in thebarrel chambers when the triggers are released, and means actuated bymovement of the breech reciprocating member for movingthe pins intoretracted position.

23. In a gun starter for internal combustion engines, a barrel memberhaving chambers for the reception of cartridges, a breech member, firingpins carried by the-breech member, triggers for retaining the pins inretracted position, rotating means for reciprocating the breech member,and a reciprocable sleeve in the breech member 'for moving the firingpins into retracted position, said seeve being actuated by the rotatingbreech moving means.

24. In a gun starter for internal combustion engines, a barrel memberhavingchambers for the reception of cartridges, a breech member, springoperated firing pins in the breech member arranged to engage thecart.'idges in the barrel chambers when released, triggers in the breechmember for retaining the pins in retracted }position, means forreciprocating the breec 1 member, a sleeve for moving the pins toretracted position when the breech member is moved from the barrelmember, and a worm on the breech reciprocating member for reciprocatingthe sleeve with the breech member.

25. In a gun starter for internal combustion engines, a barrel havichambers adapted to contain cartridges, a reech member firing pinscarried by the breech member an reciprocated therein, said pins havinphalateral extension, springs for moving t e ins to fire the cartridges, asleeve in the reech member for engaging the pin extensions, a singlemeans for reciprocating the breech member and the sleeve within thebreech member, and triggers for retainin the pins in a retractedposition into whic they are moved by the sleeve.

26. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelhaving chambers adapted to contain cartridges, a breech member,reciprocable firing pins in the breech member, s rings for moving thepins into contact with the cartridges in the barrel chambers, triggersfor retaining the ins in retracted position, a manually rotate memberfor causing reciprocation of the breech member, said member having aworm gear thereon, and a reciprocable sleeve guided within the breechmember to reciprocate axially therein and to move the pins into positionfor engagement by the triggers, said sleeve being actuated by the wormgear on the rotatable breech reciprocating member.

27. In combination wit an internal combustion engine, a gun starterdevice comprising a barrel having a plurality of cartrid receivingchambers connected with certain of the engine cylinders, mechanism forfiring the cartridges when the pistons in the associated cylinders aremoving away from the head, said mechanism being connected and driven bythe engine crankshaft, manual means for placing the mechanism intofiring relation, and means on the starter for indicating when thepistons in the cylinders receiving the cartridge explosion are at topcenter.

28. In combination with an internal combustion engine of thereciprocating piston type, a gun starter device comprising a barrelhaving a plurality of cartridge receiving chambers connected withcertain of the engine cylinders, a breech member, en ine drivenmechanism for causing firing o certain of the cartrid es, a portion ofthe mechanism extending t rough the chambers and adapted to be movedmanually into effective position, and means on the breech member and theextended mechanism for indicating when the pistons in the cylinderswhich receive the cartrid e explosions are at top center.

29. n combination with an internal combustion engine, a un starterdevice comprising a barrelmem r having a plurality of chambers adaptedto contain a cartridge, mechanism for causing explosion of thecartridges in the chambers in a redetermined sequence and timed with theown stroke of the piston in the cylinder with which the associatedchambers are connected, and means associated with the mechanism fordetermining the position of the pistons in the cylinders associated withthe barrel chambers.

30. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a gun starterdevice comprising a barrel member having a plurality of cartridgereceiving chambers connected with engine cylinders, a manually operablemechamsm for causing an explosion of a cartridge in one of the barrelchambers, a drivin connection between the engine cranksha t and saidmechanism for actuatin the mechanism to fire the cartridges in the ot erbarrel chambers, and a hand grip associated with the manually operablemechanism.

31. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember provided with spaced longitudinally extending cartridge receivingchambers, a breech member adapted to be reciprocated relative to thebarrel member, an ejector element for partially withdrawin thecartridges from the barrel member, an means associated with the barreland breech members causing the ejector element to move with the breechmember.

32. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember rovided with spaced longitudinally exten ing cartridge receivingchambers, a breech member adapted to be reciprocated in a direct and ahelical axial direction relative to thebarrel member, an ejector elementagainst which the cartridge rims enga e when inserted in the barrelchambers, an means associated with the barrel and breech members causinthe ejector to reciprocate in a direct axial irection with the breechmember in its reciprocal movement. 1

33. In a gun starter-device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember rovided with spaced longitudinally exten ing cartridge receivingchambers, a breech member partially telescoping within one end of thebarrel member, an ejector sleeve member intermediate the telescopingportions of said breech and barrel members, means for reciprocating thebreech member in a straight and helical direction, and means associatedwith the barrel and breech members for reciprocating said ejectorsleeve.

34. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having spaced longitudinally extending chambers, a breech memberadapted to be moved axially with respect to the barrel member, anejector member, and means causing the ejector member to reciprocateautomatically during a portion of and with the breech memberreciprocation.

35. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having spaced longitudinally extending chambers, a breech memberadapted to be moved axially with respect to the barrel member, anejector member, means causing simultaneous movement of the ejector withthe breech during a portion of its reciprocation, and manually operablemeans for reciprocating the ejector when the breech member is in fullyextended posltion.

36. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a gun starterdevice comprising a plurality of cartridge receiving chambers each incommunication with different engine cylinders, firin mechanism for thecartridges in the cham ers, engine actuated means for releasing thefiring mechanisms automaticall in a definite order and in synchronizedre ation with the position of the pistons in the associated c linders,and manual means for retaining tli e releasing means in operativeposition, said manual means being operative to cause the releasing meansto effect actuation of each of the firing mechanisms.

37 In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, the barrelmember having a chamber into which a cartridge is inserted and explodedwhereby the exhaust gases escape therein, a conduit leading from thechamber to the cylinder of the engine, a firing pin for engaging acartridge in said chamber, a trigger associated in operative relationwith said pin exteriorly and independently of said barrel member,trigger release mechanism extending through the barrel member, andmechanism adapted to actuate the release mechanism.

38. In a gun starter device for internal combustion engines, a barrelmember having a chamber in which a cartridge is inserted and exploded sothat the exhaust gases pass into the chamber, a breech member alignedwith the barrel enclosing one end thereof, a spring actuated firing pincarried by the breech member, a trigger carried by the breech member forcontrolling the pin, trigger actuated mechanism extending through thebarrel, and engine actuated means for operating the mechanism to causerelease of the pin.

39. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a starter devicecomprising a barrel mem or having a plurality of cartrid receivingchambers communicating with di erent cylinders of the engine, mechanismsfor firing the cartridges into the barrel chambers, and engine drivenmeans, including a plural cam member, for actuating said mechanisms,said cam member being manually adjustable to actuate said mechanisms insequence startin with any one.

40. In combination wit an internal combustion engine, a gpn starterdevice comprising a barrel mem er having a plurality of cartl'idreceiving chambers communicating with di erent cylinders of the engine,mechanisms for firing the cartridges into the barrel chambers, enginedriven means, including a plural cam member, for actuating saidmechanisms, said cam member bein manually adjustable to actuate said mecanisms in sequence starting with any one, and manually operable meansfor retaining the lural cam member in operative relation wit saidmechanisms.

41. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a gun starterdevice comprising a barrel member having a plurality of cartridgereceiving chambers communicating with difierent cyllnders of the engine,individual mechanisms for firing cartridges in the several barrelchambers, and manually operable means including a plural cam forselectively operating said mechanisms.

In testlmony whereof I aflix my signature.

' LIONEL M. WOOLSON.

1 CERTIFICATE or common.

mm No. 1,903,079. March a, 1m.

LIONEL ll. IOOISON.

it is hereby certified that error appeara in the printed specificationof the above nunbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,line 95, cl. 2, hefore"'ehalher" insert "breech"; and line 105,, claim3, for "chder" read "chambered"; and that the said Letters Patentshonidbe read with these correction therein that the same may conform tothe record of the once in the Patent Office.

Signed and oeaicd this 8th day of August, A. D. 1933.

M. J. Moore.

lg Acting Comiaeioner of Pateata.

